College scholarships for young people of exceptional character
and non-traditional students through two distinct programs

Tips for Parents & Guardians

Spring term

During the spring term months (January – April), parents and guardians of college students may find these tips useful:

Maintain a tone of positivity and encouragement with your son or daughter as they prepare to start college, while attending college, and when at home during breaks. Remember, your “baby” is now a young adult in a period of rapid change. Some rules will still apply. Maybe some can be relaxed or are no longer needed.

Encourage your student to set goals for themselves during the term (e.g. study plans, meeting with professors, going to the library a certain number of times per week). Ask them if they are accomplishing these goals, and the value they feel was or was not gained as a result.

Guide your student and help to empower them. When they encounter a challenge, ask them to think about available resources that might help. Perhaps it’s as simple as a conversation with a Resident Advisor (RA), Academic Advisor, or someone in the Financial Aid Office. Remember to revisit the issue during your following conversation.

Remind your student that they have earned this experience. Reinforce that in addition to your support, they have the support of the Daniels Fund, the scholarship team, and their Scholar Relations Officer if they have feelings of anxiety, doubt, or fear about any aspect of the college journey.

Emphasize that asking questions and reaching out are responsible actions that are effective tools for staying on track and avoiding painful mistakes.